Fear the beard: Steelheads embracing postseason tradition

The Idaho Steelheads are continuing the hockey tradition of growing playoff beards during the postseason.

BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) —

The Idaho Steelheads are stressing consistency now that the postseason is here.

That includes the playoff scruff.

"You have to keep everything," team captain Carson McMillan said.

Some trace the playoff beard tradition back to the New York Islanders in the 1980's.

The tradition has since evolved.

"Every team is different but we've let our guys have some freedom with stuff like that," head coach Neil Graham said.

"Let it go. It's not about how you look, it's about the team," forward Rob Linsmayer said.

The facial hair will be on full display beginning Wednesday as No. 5 seed Idaho's best-of-seven series with No. 4 Allen shifts to Boise. The Steelheads split the first two games with the Americans in Texas, and host the next three contests.

The team has grown throughout the season, and also what's grown on some upper lips.

"I will accept a good moustache but it's got to be a good one," McMillan said. "If you can't grow a good moustache then just grow an ugly beard."

Somehow, this builds camaraderie.

"It's a good time of year," Graham said. "Guys talked about growing some playoff beards. Guys are having fun. At the end of the day you are with your brothers in that room and you are going to battle with them."

Game three is Wednesday, while game four follows on Friday and then game five on Saturday. If necessary, the series heads back to Allen for games six and seven.